376 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



faint, but not disagreeable odour, and a slightly saline taste, 

 without any indication of putrescence. Very slightly soluble in 

 water or spirit. Digests albumen. 

 Dose. 2 to 5 gr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Pepsin is one of the normal constituents of the gastric 

 juice, converting albumen into peptone with the assistance of 

 the hydrochloric acid. The same effect is produced out of the 

 body, or in other cavities such as the rectum. 



Pepsin is t extensively used as an aid to digestion either 

 alone in the solid form, or combined with diluted hydrochloric 

 acid, being given during or after meals. It is especially 

 indicated and successful in morbid conditions of the stomach 

 associated with deficiency of the gastric juice whether from 

 disease of the follicles, such as atrophy ; excess of mucus, 

 as in the chronic catarrhal dyspepsia of alcoholism, deficient 

 blood supply, as in anaemia and general debility ; or irritable 

 states of the stomach with pain and vomiting, such as ulcer 

 and cancer, where the normal stimulation of the mucous 

 membrane must be avoided, and fluid food only given. Pepsin 

 is also useful in the dyspepsia of the aged, and of infants. The 

 principal objections to its use are the uncertainty of its 

 strength and action, and the danger of allowing the gastric 

 function to become obsolete. 



Pepsin is a valuable addition to nutritive enemata, the 

 natural digestive power of the secretion of the rectum being 

 comparatively small. 



Pepsin has also been used as a local application to dissolve 

 the membrane in diphtheria, and even to promote the absorp- 

 tion of tumours. 



Liquor Pancreaticus. (Not Officinal) An 

 aqueous and spirituous extract of the fresh pancreas 

 of the Pig. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Preparations of the pancreas are active digestives of pro- 

 teids and amyloids, and are used with great success to peptonise 

 milk, gruel, and soups before administration in cases of 

 digestive debility. They are not suited for separate internal 



